Education: Doctor of optometry, Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, Tenn.

Profession: Optometrist

Marital status: Married

Q. Do you or do you not support offshore drilling along North Carolina’s coast? Why or why not?

A. Yes, I support offshore drilling with adequate safeguards in place.

Q. What is your opinion on incentives for the purpose of promoting economic development?

A. I am philosophically opposed to incentives to lure corporations to North Carolina. However, with our current very unfriendly business climate, that is the only way we can compete with other states. If we become a business-friendly state, we may not have to give all the incentives .

Q. What would you do to help create new jobs in Gaston County?

A. We create jobs by becoming a very business-friendly state by tax and regulatory changes to encourage new businesses to expand to attract new businesses to North Carolina.

Q. What would you do to help create new jobs in Gaston County?

A. I will defer to transportation committee Chairman Senator Harrington to determine how to meet the transportation needs of Gaston County.

Q. North Carolina has the highest income tax of any state in the South. Are you in favor of cutting that tax here?

A. Yes, we need to move toward a consumption tax and reduce our state income tax.